China is the world's largest gold consumer and producer - the Shanghai Gold Exchange sets Asia's benchmark gold price. The gold rate in China today is updated daily based on the international spot price converted to Chinese Yuan (CNY). Check the live rate cards above for today's exact 24K and 22K prices in CNY. Indian buyers and NRIs in China can also track the gold rate today across all Indian cities on our homepage for comparison.
Today's 24K and 22K Gold Rate in China
As of 16 Oct 2026, the gold rate in China is ¥8,906 per 10 grams for 24K gold and ¥8,165 per 10 grams for 22K gold in Chinese Yuan (CNY). The 18K gold rate in China today is ¥6,680 per 10 grams. On a per-gram basis, 24K gold is priced at ¥891 per gram in China today. These rates are updated daily and are indicative wholesale prices - your final jewellery price will be higher once making charges and applicable local taxes are added.
22K vs 24K vs 18K Gold - Which Should You Buy in China?
The right purity depends on your purpose - investment, traditional jewellery, or contemporary designs. Here is how the three main grades compare at today's China prices in Chinese Yuan (CNY):
- 24K gold (999 purity) at ¥8,906 per 10 grams - 99.9% pure. The international investment standard. Used for coins, bars, and digital gold. Too soft for most jewellery.
- 22K gold (916 purity) at ¥8,165 per 10 grams - 91.6% pure. The Indian jewellery standard used for traditional ornaments. Available at major Indian jewellery shops in China.
- 18K gold (750 purity) at ¥6,680 per 10 grams - 75% pure. Harder and more affordable. Popular for diamond-studded and contemporary designs widely available in China.
Use our karat converter to convert rates between purities instantly.
Gold Rate in China vs India - Key Differences
China's gold rate is set by the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) - the world's largest physical gold exchange. The SGE sets the daily benchmark gold price in CNY that all Chinese gold trading references. Chinese demand is the single largest national factor in global gold prices after the US dollar and Fed policy.
Indian Community and NRI Gold Buying in China
China's diaspora is concentrated in Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America. Chinese-origin gold buyers globally tend to prefer 24K pure gold in specific traditional designs.
Why Indian Buyers Track China Gold Rates
Indians living and working in China track gold rates for several practical reasons. Comparing China's gold price (in CNY and INR equivalent) with India's current rate helps determine whether buying locally or waiting for an India visit is more cost-effective. The key factors that determine this comparison are:
- Tax structure - India imposes approximately 18–20% effective tax burden (import duty plus GST) on gold at retail. China's tax treatment may be significantly more or less favourable depending on local rules.
- Making charges - jewellery making charges vary significantly between China and Indian cities. Traditional Indian designs may have limited availability in China and higher making charges than Indian markets.
- Currency exchange rate - the INR equivalent of China's gold price moves with the CNY-INR exchange rate. A stronger CNY makes China gold more expensive in rupee terms even if the local price is unchanged.
- Design availability - traditional Indian jewellery designs (Kundan, temple jewellery, Jadau, Meenakari) may have limited availability in China, making India or UAE visits necessary for specific bridal purchases.
- Purity certification - Indian BIS hallmarking and China's local purity certification systems differ. Always verify purity through the appropriate local authority before purchasing.
Best Places to Buy Gold in China
Shanghai's Gold Street in the Huangpu district and Beijing's Caishikou market are China's primary retail gold districts. Chow Tai Fook is China's largest jewellery chain with over 7,000 stores. The Shanghai Gold Exchange handles wholesale trading.
Buying Bridal Gold in China - Guide for Indian Families
Chinese bridal gold tradition emphasises 24K pure gold pieces - bangles, necklaces, and earrings are traditional wedding gifts. The 'Five Gold Pieces' (necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings, brooch) form the standard bridal set across China. 24K is strongly preferred over 22K because Chinese tradition values maximum purity. Always compare China prices (converted to INR at the current CNY-INR exchange rate) with India's live rates before making any large purchase. Use our gold price calculator and wedding gold calculator as reference points.
Festival Gold Buying in China - When Indian NRIs Buy Most
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the world's largest single gold-buying event - Chinese purchases during the 15-day New Year period measurably move international gold prices. Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) also drives significant jewellery purchases. For investment purchases, Indian NRIs in China should compare the effective per-gram cost (including all local taxes and making charges) in CNY against current Indian city rates before deciding where to buy.
Gold Rate in China vs Other Markets
Indian buyers in China often compare gold prices across multiple markets before making large purchases:
- UAE cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah
- Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait
- India cities for comparison: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore
See all Indian city rates on our all-India gold rate page.
Investment Gold in China - Options for Indian NRIs
Indian NRIs in China have several gold investment routes. Here is how they compare:
Physical Gold in China
Buying gold coins or bars locally in China may be more cost-effective than India depending on the tax differential. Always buy from licensed, reputable dealers and verify purity through the local certification system. Keep the purchase receipt - Indian customs require documentation when bringing gold back to India.
Indian Customs Rules When Bringing Gold to India
Travellers from abroad to India are permitted: male passengers (stayed abroad over 6 months) up to 20 grams duty-free (max ₹50,000 value); female passengers up to 40 grams duty-free (max ₹1 lakh value). Above these limits, customs duty of approximately 15% plus cess applies. Always declare gold above the duty-free limit on arrival. Verify the latest CBIC rules before travelling.
Sovereign Gold Bonds - Note for NRIs
NRIs are not eligible to purchase Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in India - SGBs are restricted to Indian residents. However, NRIs can invest in Gold ETFs listed on NSE/BSE through NRO/NRE demat accounts with Indian brokers - this is typically the most tax-efficient way for NRIs to gain Indian gold price exposure.
Digital Gold via Indian Apps
Select platforms like MMTC-PAMP offer digital gold to NRIs through specific NRI-enabled accounts. Check individual platform eligibility before investing.
Making Charges in China - What to Expect
Chinese making charges vary significantly - luxury brands charge CNY 100–500 per gram while retail chain stores charge CNY 20–80 per gram. When comparing with India, note that Indian making charges - particularly in markets like Zaveri Bazaar (Mumbai), T. Nagar (Chennai), or Delhi's Karol Bagh - are often significantly lower than the equivalent in China for comparable traditional Indian designs. Use our making charges calculator to estimate the Indian equivalent cost.
How to Calculate the INR Equivalent of China Gold Rate
To convert China's gold rate to Indian rupees for comparison with India's market:
Step 1: Note the per-gram gold rate in China in CNY - check the live rate cards at the top of this page (¥891 per gram today).
Step 2: Multiply by 10 to get the per-10-gram rate - the Indian standard unit (¥8,906 per 10 grams today).
Step 3: Convert to INR using the current CNY-INR exchange rate from your bank's app or Google.
Step 4: Compare with the live Indian city rates shown on this page. Remember that India's retail price already includes 15%+ import duty and 3% GST - so the Indian retail price will be higher than the base metal value used for comparison.
Selling Gold in China vs Bringing It to India
Indian NRIs in China sometimes weigh whether to sell surplus gold locally or bring it to India:
- Local sale in China: Gives immediate CNY proceeds without customs complications. Local dealers typically offer the international spot price less a small spread of 1–3%.
- Bringing to India: If within customs duty-free limits, bringing gold and selling locally at Indian retail rates can yield a higher effective return - India's price includes significant import duty that creates a premium over international spot. Above the duty-free limit, customs duty reduces this advantage.
- Documentation: Keep your original China purchase invoice for any gold brought back. For sales above ₹50,000 in India, your buyer will require your ID and PAN.
China Gold Rate History - Monthly and Yearly Trends
The gold rate history tables on this page - Daily, Monthly, and Yearly tabs above - show how China's 24K, 22K, and 18K prices have moved over time in Chinese Yuan (CNY):
- Daily tab: Shows the last 10 recorded rate entries for China with day-on-day change. Use this to understand recent short-term direction.
- Monthly tab: Shows the average gold rate in China per calendar month - useful for spotting seasonal patterns and festival-driven demand cycles.
- Yearly tab: Shows the annual average rate - reflecting gold's long-term upward trend driven by both global price appreciation and currency movements between CNY and international markets.
The interactive chart above lets you zoom into 7-day, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year windows with exact prices on hover - useful context before making a large purchase in China.